Braves showing interest on Zach Eflin

Zach Eflin, who helped the Philadelphia Phillies win the National League pennant two years ago, could play a significant role in preventing his former team from winning another World Series.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the division-rival Atlanta Braves are “keeping a close eye on Eflin” as the summer trading season approaches.

Given that All-Star Spencer Strider was sidelined for the season after undergoing an internal bracing treatment to correct an issue to his pitching elbow, it is reasonable to expect the Braves to add at least one starter before the July 30 trade deadline. Both Chris Sale and Max Fried have durability concerns, and as brilliant as Reynaldo López has been this season, he hasn’t thrown more than 70 innings in a season since 2019.

With two lefties in Sale and Fried, the Braves should probably look for a right-handed pitcher. Eflin would give them that in what is expected to be a lackluster trade market, especially if teams like the Houston Astros do not eventually sell.

Furthermore, Eflin is only in his second season of a three-year, $40 million contract, so he would not be a rental. The Braves don’t know what they’ll get from Strider in 2025, and Fried can become a free agent after this season, so having an experienced veteran like Eflin under contract for next season would be appealing.

After placing sixth in the AL Cy Young Award race in his first season with the Rays last year, Eflin has a 4.12 ERA and 3.67 FIP in 59 innings pitched this season.

Now 30, Eflin’s contract states that he would get a $1 million bonus if traded. Major League Baseball’s trading deadline is July 30.